Thinking about all the reasons we have for praising our LORD.

If Anyone Has Ears to Hear

As Jesus taught the people God’s word, He often ended the lesson as in Mark 4:23,

If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.

Jesus’ words were based on many Old Testament passages like Zechariah 7:11,

But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing.

There are many who stubbornly refuse to listen to God’s word — or any loving words that want to help someone do what is right and good for them. Many will perversely continue to do what is wrong, just because they don’t want anyone pointing out their wrong behavior. They become even more obstinate knowing someone has seen their wrong. And, being corrected makes them angry.

As Jesus preached, there were a number of those who didn’t like what He said. They hated His pointing out their guilt and made plans to get rid of Jesus. Because they stubbornly refused to take any of Jesus’ words to heart — and had no desire to learn and live God’s truths, they were never able to repent and receive God’s gifts of forgiveness and salvation.

That’s when Jesus turned to His followers who loved to hear God’s word. Jesus said to them in Matthew 13:16,

Blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.

Jesus’ followers were “blessed” unto eternal life because they understood that Jesus was showing them God’s truths — truths that would draw them near to their Creator Redeemer forever. Knowing God’s truths became their treasure that set them free from the over-bearing rules and regulations of the Pharisees and Sadducees — and their sinful inclinations.

May our heart’s “eyes” and “ears” be open to God’s blessings in Christ Jesus, so that we say, “Hallelujah! Lord, thank You for opening our eyes and ears to Your wondrous gift of righteousness in Christ.”